The Bernard G. Farrar, Jr. Collection was purchased from Charles Agvent Rare Books and Autographs in 2005. The collection consists of eight letters, all written during the Civil War by Bernard Gaines Farrar, Jr., and addressed to his wife Isabel. Most of the letters were written or appear to have been written during 1864, although they are not all dated completely. One letter in particular, dated July 1 (no year given), could possibly have been written in 1863 during the Siege of Vicksburg. The letters are primarily of a personal nature as Farrar speaks of his living conditions and travels, his remembrances of home, and the desire to be reunited with his wife “Belle” and his family.

The majority of the correspondence has been transcribed as best as possible. In addition to transcriptions of the letters, further items have been added to the collection to assist the researcher with background on the Farrar family. Included are chronological excerpts from the War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, which entails reports involving Farrar; a profile of the Farrar Family; and a photograph of Bernard G. Farrar, Jr., circa 1880s, acquired from the Missouri State Historical Society.